Rug of the MonthNovember 2012Prayer Rug

Prayer rugs

A prayer rug is used by Muslims to kneel on when they pray several times throughout the day. Muslims pray five times during the day and when doing so mustkneel on a clean surface and bow periodically during the prayer. The prayer rug, although not required for Muslim prayer, is commonly used throughout the Middle East and Asia and has been for centuries. Typically small, the prayer rug is portable and often carried with the Muslim to be readily available for the 5x daily prayer. The distinquishing characteristic of all prayer rugs is the niche at the top of the rug. This niche can be shaped in a variety of ways but is designed after the mihrabs found in Islamic mosques which point to Mecca. When in use for prayer, the rug is positioned so the niche is facing Mecca. When bowing, the Muslim places both hands on either side of the niche and his forehead touches the niche.

In the rug shown here the niche is a simple pointed design. The figures above the niche most likely represent a mosque. Many prayer rugs will have other religiously significant designs in them such as lanterns representing the Verse of Light. This particular rug is typical of Beluchi prayer rugs -- geometric with simple designs and minimal color variation.

Although the rug shown above is a traditional prayer rug, prayer rugs can be made in a variety of styles. Below are a few examples of other prayer rugs found in our showroom. As you can see they can range from truly ornate to very simple. The arch or niche at the top of the rugs identifies it as a prayer rug.